JANUARY 24, 1941 Neil Leslie Diamond is born in Brooklyn, New York, to Rose and Akeeba (Kieve) Diamond, children of Jewish immigrants. Neil's maternal grandparents were Abraham and Molly Rapaport, who emigrated from Russia. His paternal grandparents were Abram and Sadie Diamond, who emigrated from Poland. Kieve was a shopkeeper who operated several businesses in various Brooklyn locations. Neil's Astrological Chart contributed by IAIS member "S"

JANUARY 19, 1943 Harvey Diamond, Neil's only brother, is born in Brooklyn, New York.

1945 The Diamond family moves to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where Kieve is stationed in the United States Army.

1953 Kieve opens Diamond's Dry Goods in Flatbush.

FALL 1954 Neil enters Erasmus Hall High School, where his activities include Mixed Chorus.

1956 Rose and Kieve move the Diamond family home and business to Brooklyn's Brighton Beach.

1956 Neil writes his first song, "Hear Them Bells."

FALL 1956 Neil enters Lincoln High School in Brooklyn, where his activities include membership in both the Choral Group and the Fencing Team.

JANUARY 1957 Neil receives his first guitar as a birthday present.

JUNE 1958 Neil graduates from Lincoln High.

FALL 1958 Neil enters New York University on a fencing scholarship.

1959 Neil and Jack Packer begin working together on Neil's music and decide that they should record demos at Tin Pan Alley.